Woman plagued by agonising psoriasis for 35 years ‘cures it in 2 weeks with vegan diet’
A WOMAN plagued by an agonising skin condition for 35 years claims she cured it in just two weeks - with a vegan diet.
Paula Taylor, from Preston, Lancs, was diagnosed with psoriasis when she was 11 and says she spent most of her life hidden inside feeling "abnormal".
The 48-year-old says that over the years she had tried every solution doctors could offer, but nothing helped.
But after deciding to ditch meat and dairy from her diet earlier this year, she noticed a dramatic change in her skin.
In just 17 days of eating nothing but vegetables, fruits, nuts and salads she says her psoriasis was gone.
I’m proud of my body again, I feel like a totally new woman and this diet has saved me
Paula Taylor
Paula said: “I can’t even begin to describe the difference between myself a year ago and now.
“It’s not just the physical appearance of my body, which is important, but the mental side is like another world.
“I’m proud of my body again, I feel like a totally new woman and this diet has saved me.”
Discussing what it was like to grow up with psoriasis, Paula said: “When I was a child my mum would find me standing in front of a mirror crying my eyes out.
“Nobody knew how to stop it and it kept getting worse. I spent my years inside, fully clothed and away from other people – it made me feel abnormal.
“The effects of the condition carried on throughout my life - it hospitalised me twice, it played a part in my divorce and my interactions and activities with anyone I met.
I spent my years inside, fully clothed and away from other people – it made me feel abnormal
Paula Taylor
“I couldn’t go swimming or sunbathing, or even wear a skirt and I couldn’t say why.
“Being intimate was tough because I’d be horrified at the thought of showing my body without any clothes on – I didn’t feel like anyone would be attracted to me.
“I did marry, he’s the father of my children and we’re friends still to this day, but nothing helped, my psoriasis in one way or another effected everything, and we later divorced."
Life-changing
She continued: “I woke up in February in so much pain and looked online for anything I could to get rid of the condition, everything a doctor told me would help never did.
“I found this recipe book and thought I should give it a go. It’s anti-inflammatory so it cuts out dairy, meat, junk and alcohol.
“Day-by-day, my skin was getting better. I was gorging on nut roasts, fresh fruit, vegetables and corn instead of chips, gravy, crisps, bacon, sausages and everything I usually had.
“After 17 days, my skin was clear - I was cured - and I can’t even begin to explain how my life has changed.
“I wear bikinis, skirts, shorts, I go to the gym, and my life is finally mine again, I’m not a prisoner in my own skin anymore."
Paula is adamant that a book by Hanna Sillitoe, who also claims to have cured herself of psoriasis and eczema by going vegan, was the key to her success.
After 17 days, my skin was clear - I was cured - and I can’t even begin to explain how my life has changed
Paula Taylor
She now spends her time doing everything she had to stop for most of her life, she wears clothing that shows her body off, sunbathes, exercises, takes beach holidays and feels like a new woman.
She said: “If I had never seen this book my life would have continued to be a battle, and would of continued to be so limited.
“After following what Hanna has written and published, I can finally be the woman I always wanted to be.”
What do the experts say?
Experts have previously carried out studies on the relationship between psoriasis and diet and say that what patients eat can mitigate symptoms.
A comprehensive review, published in last year, analysed data from more than 4,500 people living with the skin condition.
It showed a link between weight and symptom severity was well-established and said that those who are overweight or obese should reduce their calorific intake.
The review recommends using weight loss to help mitigate these factors through what is known as a hypocaloric diet.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales.
These patches normally appear on your elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, but can appear anywhere on your body.
Most people are only affected with small patches. In some cases, the patches can be itchy or sore.
It affects around two per cent of the UK population.
Why does it happen?
People with psoriasis have an increased production of skin cells.
Skin cells are normally made and replaced every three to four weeks, but in psoriasis this process only lasts about three to seven days.
The resulting build-up of skin cells is what creates the patches associated with psoriasis.
It is thought to be a problem with the immune system and can run in families.
How is it treated?
There's no cure for psoriasis, but a range of treatments can improve symptoms and the appearance of skin patches.
In most cases, the first treatment used will be a topical treatment, such as vitamin D analogues or topical corticosteroids.
Topical treatments are creams and ointments applied to the skin.
If these aren't effective, or your condition is more severe, a treatment called phototherapy may be used.
Phototherapy involves exposing your skin to certain types of ultraviolet light.
In severe cases, where the above treatments are ineffective, systemic treatments may be used. These are oral or injected medicines that work throughout the whole body.
Source: NHS
In this case, “hypocaloric” refers to weight loss driven solely by consuming a smaller number of calories, rather than by exercise, surgery or changing nutrient portions, such as carbohydrates.
Dr Mark Lebwohl, who co-authored the paper, said: “Weight loss will undoubtedly help your heart, but we certainly know that it can help your psoriasis, too."
However, the team were also quick to point out that medical treatments are still the best way to tackle psoriasis, which affects 1 in 50 people in the UK.
Dr April Armstrong, of the National Psoriasis Foundation medical board, said: “There is what’s called a reporting bias – people who try something that works for them are going to speak more loudly than if it didn’t.
“That gives you a perception that it works for lots of people.”
Dr Anton Alexandroff, of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: “There isn’t a cure for psoriasis, it is a long-term condition which is managed, sometimes to the point of complete clearance of the skin lesions.
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"Also, in some cases, spontaneous clearance of psoriasis may occur.
"There is not sufficient evidence to say that a specifically vegan diet is a good for managing psoriasis, but we would recommend maintaining a healthy balanced diet, which could be plant-based, alongside the recommended medical treatments.
"I would strongly urge people with psoriasis to avoid discontinuing their treatments in favour of diet-based management of the condition.”